New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-06
THE NEW PARK AT NIAGARA
PLANS OF MEssRs oLMsrED AND vAUx.


Olmsted and Calvert vaux was given to the public yes
terday by the Commissioners nh voIuminous decu-
ment The architects first express the belief that what
ever Is done upon the reservation shall be "lasngy sat
isfactory nothing being wasted matters OF temporary
eIpediency" general plan Is therefore necessary.
About seventh Of the territory they state obieo
onabe artificial character. owing digging
buildings. This part should be aimed n natural
character harmonious with the undsturbed parts The
architects next say:
The plan aims at nothing else anywhere upon the
platforms important points o. and
OF other accommodations such experience his shown to be
peoes come t"sether "Ha s0'0 0'''
appearing harshy intrusive ulea the
natural scenery and TO guard the smeps OF natural
is statement OF all that the plan has in view.
The scope Of the plan be controlled largely by the
number OF people visiting the reservation They have
ereofore visited the Niagara Falls TO be astonishcdn
which they have been disappointed for the pensvs
contemplation OF distinctive qualities Of beauty In hap
PLY associated passages OF natural scenery The ro
nova Of structures the Falls has not cured the d
appointment Of the " astonishment" seekers; those
looking for natural beauty will find and enjoy
In the plans proposed Because OF the education OF
tho In appreciation Of natural scenery and for
other causes. the number Of people visiting tha
Falls has greatly increased and will so continue
o increase that any plans based on the pres
mt patronage OF the spot would DO short
sighted The plan proposed looks for OF the beauty
chiefly sought In garden improvements for the nroduc
ton OF decorative detail would transform the reservation
into affair OF ths sumptuous park and flower garden
order than which nothing would DO more deporabe."
There danger the architects think that exclusion OF
such decoration may dsease impulsive because
they think the natural method the easer while In fact
more difficult to develop The discussion the mat
has lasted six years and the plan agreed upon
by the architects Is simply the execution Of the dea
determined from the six consideration BY the Leg
lature and others
The architects review the history Of the discussion the
views advanced. and call especial attention to the fact
that part OF the reservation, known Tho
Grove. which was originally truly parkke had been
improved" Into park" with garden rockwork,
walsided stream Of water, decorative bridge, "orna
mental trees" castron fountain and variety theatre
all to draw visitors This proved attrao-
ton, but 1t humiating. Thereport further states:
providing from the observation only
Of mills and other constructions io industrial pa, but
ianmsn Of visitor. especially Of tho great ap
OF VISITORS injury 70 the scenery thai
would entail anu torbtiaS exhibitions G IN or over me
number visitors 70 t for other thaa
assumed be the only admissible view Of the
there can be no doubt Of general satisfaction Of the
citizens OF the State IN all these procsednga
Sesn lett w he SSn ss IN q
accepted prihcipie duty therefore ~ more
FIRST them. we are far thinking tina. all tina.
ne end 70 as ss
Suent weaknesses Of Natural scenery MAY result even a.
to an observer OF ins sensiIiities those from tho
yet decidedly regfetabie..
etc Walks. roads bridges. seats. stairways standing y.
places etc. the architects say must be provided to On;
scenery. And Nt therc must be Profession from the
tramp VISITORS for the sister Islands, since the restc
ftat
beauty because of the Influx OF sghtseers while half the
projected Il will in a few years become barren rock
The architects therefore lay down the following prin
ciple:
Having regard TO the By vsters Q, natural scs.
Co srxe numbers Of them viii unsvoidabv lesson
ss s nons q an sftsaP
place on the property no matter valuable might
may presence which be avoided consistently
VI condit Gus TOT making tho en-
loymeut OF the natural scenery available
Therefore Goat Island would be an impossible place
for the Statue OF Liberty. for instance The little old est
house that island should accordingly, not give
way finer establishment, etc. On the same prinlipio
the reservation /, not the the place ior museum Illus.
adjoining village. where building Tor the PURPOSE has
The question OF having rereshment places the
yaon Aessrs Osed aud Vaux consider by tie test OF
the highest average enjoyment" and decide against IT,
although occasional stomach may suffer They do
terIno also ~ provide no carriage space for view G
the OF the Falls because the space Is too limited
good OF large number who Will visit the spot
People OF al artistic and poetic turn or mind" would
Also enlDy the view better ou foot nnd la reality the
highest enjoyment would thus be got, tho architects
tnk Au anhitAeatricai arrangement oil seasf or the
view Is condemned
Speaking OF the riedness with which tie range OF de-
sisn IN preparug the plan has been IoLowe the arci
call Attention to the fact that the reservation OF tue
state OF NewfOrk Is bur part OF larger scheme In
respects this reservation has advantage. over that
or the Province OF Ontario; IL has nconparaDy greater
beauty the de uding refinement aud decacy
aud subtle qualities of natural scenery but II has no
pace trOm which, ~ nom that OF Ontario view or the
eufl
scenery the Ontario side eXcels also In the extent or
us topography. Therefore extensive pleasure driving
instance. cannot be provided for ON Goat Island
where woodland scenery should be protected Further
more the better points OF attraction thl- New
York Reservation are close upon "a danger limo
owing TO the constant recession OF tho
70 providing accommodations for visitors at The chief
points Great throngs too. 10 be antic
pa,e only during short period OF the year. and these
during only " the day. and they will
py little OF the reservation delightful % ramblers and
Will not visit the more celebrated speeaees Of the
Having thus set forth the leading general principle OF
their plan the architects pass 10 the following prticn
Lars:
In the Upper Grove entrance plan proposes
people with advice aud guidance. check
rfs @ ~ 5Gs sa for Sa asIus @
1y large shelters partly open and ~, partly snsose The
TO- Sen he r w an Gg ,oa.,1 1See with
the present ariaciai elements, TO Ge
amusement removed and ali buildings except tie cottage
by The inclined railway VIII
rven else standing twenty
the OF the Will be provided
nearly possible lhe original aspecs
the Falls the OF the cliasm Tho
pace tor oil the American ali Is u pe
lrg,d by balcony OF IL recommended In
pace OF dangerous WOODEN one at Heunepns View Tho
housing to railway u robbed OF It's ugl
uss possible Ny painting and Oy openings In It's
sides.
enl and mounds 10 Oe restored much
road callel the Rverway Is "a
about the line OF the old village
street with sweeping here wa De BROAD Walk On
ts carriage roat with narrow Giauoh walks
- tho Old French Landing az
tie uple end the Kyerwdy IL plauDO, with
there while the of the verway aad
the The soldiers Monument TO b.
the reception house and the principal point
carriages.
Tie mainland division Is planned for covering OF forest
diagonal TO tho shore 10 give View 10 tho
underwood 10 be planted In thIckets
Tho cleared Goat Island e. bo
bank regulated. The old dsDs and
rr'D Bah Island be removed aud the river
an wed The mate land will then 10
away but there will he considerable nprovementn
The brides between Goat Island and the mainland
ned the walks them 10 lie wdened by out
iggers ultimately tho building OF structures beug too
of